“We also return a State Champion, a runner-up, a 5th place and five other state qualifiers,” noted Head Coach Jim Derrick.

Start of match between wrestlers representing Fairview High and Independence High.(Photo: Amy Tapia)

As a team, the Jackets finished third in A-AA Dual State. “So we have high expectations this year, but no one is going to hand anything to us. We still have to put in the work,” said Derrick.

He describes this year’s team as his largest group and most experienced in his seven years with the program. He also is happy to report that his female wrestling group has also grown to three wrestlers, with one being a returning 2-time state placer.

While optimistic about the team’s potential, Derrick acknowledged, “This year, we have a very challenging schedule, and we would like to have as much local support as possible.”

The Jackets wrestled in the Harpeth Invitational on Dec. 1 and finished sixth out of a field of 16 teams. We had three wrestlers in the finals — Blake Mitchell at 120 lbs, Mario Pukl 160 lbs and Logan White at 182 lbs, all of whom finished second in the tournament.